Home ›› 27 Oct 2022 ›› Governance
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Wednesday said his country does not have any ‘strategic rivalry or hostility’ to Bangladesh's friendly neighbour India at all.
The envoy said the two countries - India and China can ‘closely work together’ to "resolve any economic, geopolitical and other issues" in this region and beyond.
"We never view India as a strategic rival or strategic competitor of China," he said while speaking at ‘DCAB Talk’ held at the National Press Club.
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh organised its flagship programme. DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke at the programme.
The Chinese envoy said he is personally a ‘big fan’ of India, and he used to travel to many Indian places and made many friends.
He also laid emphasis on resolving all the problems in the region in an "Asian way" and said that is the basic intention of China.
Describing the situation in Europe as ‘miserable’, Jiming said, "Do you want to see what happened in Europe to happen here in our region? I don't think you want to see that. So, let's solve all the problems in an Asian way."
The envoy said his country will continue to work closely with Bangladesh to ensure development, peace and stability in the region.
"China-Bangladesh relations have grown healthily and steadily, and (I) foresee a promising outlook. We are ready to work with Bangladesh for a brighter future," he said.
The envoy said China wants a "peaceful and stable" Bangladesh as "peace and stability" are preconditions for development.
Any problem, therefore, should be resolved in a democratic and peaceful way, he said, adding that China considers Bangladesh as a "very good strategic partner" and continues to improve the relations with it.
The envoy said that China shares the same views like Bangladesh on the Ukraine issue and highlighted the importance of having dialogue and discussion to resolve problems peacefully.
"We both stand with peace and call for appropriate settlement of the concerns of all through diplomatic channels," he said.
Energy Cooperation
Media reported that India and China have been increasingly buying discounted Russian oil as global energy prices remain high.
Responding to a question, Jiming said China is an importer of LNG and other products and generally speaking China is not in a good position to export those kinds of products to Bangladesh.
"If there is an emergency situation, I think, as always, China will not sit idle and keep watching," he said, adding that both sides are in discussion on the possibility of any emergency supply.
Rohingya Crisis
On the Rohingya crisis, Jiming said China keeps putting its efforts in pursuing early repatriation, and, at the same time, helps to improve settlement facilities to relieve local sufferings.
"We also appreciate Bangladesh for coping well with the turbulence along the Myanmar border," he said.
"You need sincere support from the Myanmar side," he said, adding that they have an Asian way of solving it.
Asked then why the Rohingya issue is not being resolved, he said that China is seriously and sincerely working towards that end. "We are working silently."
No Chinese debt trap
The envoy also talked about debt management, global development initiative, trade and investment issues.
"There is no Chinese debt trap in Bangladesh. There is no Chinese debt trap globally," he said.
China never acts against Muslims
The envoy also said China "never acts against Muslims in the country" and they have no particular reason to hate or discriminate against any group.
"This is totally fake news (what you see in Uyghur). I can tell you with certainty," he said.
